Infantino confident that talks over changes of 2022 edition can ease tensions with regional neighbours

FIFA fines Croatia and Sweden

FIFA president Gianni Infantino says talks over changing the 2022 World Cup in Qatar can ease tensions with regional neighbors.

Saudi Arabia has joined with other Middle East states in enforcing a hostile boycott of Qatar since June 2017.

In recent months, Infantino has supported calls to add 16 more teams to the 2022 tournament — a plan likely to make Qatar share hosting duties because it is building only eight stadiums.

Infantino says Qatar can insist on keeping a 32-team format, though he is "pretty sure that all options will be on the table."

"Maybe we could bring those who are having difficulties communicating with each other to start dialogue," the FIFA president said at his only World Cup news conference. "The door is slightly ajar and we will see how it moves on from there."

The Emir of Qatar is expected to attend the World Cup final on Sunday, and Infantino sat with the Saudi crown prince at the opening game on June 14.

Asked about his in-game chatter with VIP guests, Infantino said: "When we are here we don't speak about politics, we speak about football."

FIFA has fined Croatia and Sweden 50,000 Swiss francs ($49,990) each for players wearing non-approved socks in games against England.

FIFA says one Croatia player "displayed unauthorized commercial branding on playing equipment items" during the team's World Cup semifinal match on Wednesday.

Croatia's soccer federation had been asked by FIFA to "cease the activity that led to the breach."

Sweden was previously fined 70,000 Swiss francs ($69,800) for several players wearing the unapproved socks in Russia.

FIFA says one player broke the World Cup marketing rules during Sweden's quarterfinals loss.